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NARS Impassioned Blush Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Impassioned Blush
NARS Impassioned Blush

NARS Impassioned Blush ($30.00 for 0.16 oz.) is described as a “rich orchid.” It’s a muted, light-medium rosy pink with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. Zoeva Gentle Touch (P, $11.80) is lighter (90% similar). Burberry S/S15 Runway (LE, $65.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Whistle While You Werk (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Wayne Goss Sweetened (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Smith and Cult Cool Pink (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Burberry Misty (P, $42.00) is darker (95% similar). Benefit Dandelion (PiP, $29.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Pink Sprinkles (LE, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). Illamasqua Naked Rose (P, $26.00) is darker (85% similar). NARS Threesome (LE, $30.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Pink Cult (LE, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Pat McGrath Divine Rose (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). MAC Modest Blush (LE, $29.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Kiss Off (DC, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC The Perfect Cheek (LE, $24.00) is darker (85% similar). ColourPop Truffle Shuffle (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). NARS New Attitude (LE, $30.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). Viseart Plum #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Coast to Coast (DC, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Chanel Jardin de Chanel (LE, $55.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The NARS blush formula is supposed to be pigmented and blendable, per their website. According to the press release, this shade will be joining the permanent range this spring. The texture of this particular shade is soft and finely-milled with a thin, lightly powdery consistency, though it doesn’t read powdery or caky applied to the skin. It offered semi-sheer color payoff that was buildable to semi-opaque at most, but it is one of the lesser pigmented blushes from NARS. I could see it being a workhorse blush on fair to light-medium skin tones as a subtler, everyday kind of shade, but it may be less versatile on deeper skin tones. It applied and blended out fairly well without a lot of work, and the color lasted for seven and a half hours before fading on my skin.

See more photos & swatches!

NARS Impassioned Blush
NARS Impassioned Blush

NARS Impassioned Blush
NARS Impassioned Blush

NARS Impassioned Blush
NARS Impassioned Blush

NARS Impassioned Blush
NARS Impassioned Blush

NARS Impassioned Blush
NARS Impassioned Blush

NARS Impassioned Blush
NARS Impassioned Blush

NARS Impassioned Blush

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes
On eyes:
  • Clarins Silver Ivory
  • Clarins Silver Pink
  • Clarins Silver Plum Eyeshadows
  • Sephora Suede Shoes Eyeliner
On lips:
  • NARS Vida Loca Lipgloss

45 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

Wow, this is really gorgeous!! Nice mix of pink and rose, beautiful for spring or even year round. NARS really nailed the spring colors in this collection

Fran Avatar

At first I was so bummed by the rating on this, but, when I read why, that turned to smiles 🙂 This could fill a definite place in my collection — a light, very subtle, slightly warmish blush to wear when I wear warm-toned lip colors! It looks like it might be almost perfect because it is very subtle, and not at all orange (orange, peach, apricot, etc. look really strange on my cheeks). I would still apply it very lightly. The only thing that would make it better is if it was luminous rather than matte, but a very light dusting of a very subtle highlighter over it could take care of that. Definitely going on my wish list!

Wednesday Avatar

I will be waffling all over this for awhile. At this point, I’m wearing only blushes that look really neutral against my skin and lend just enough to enhance shape (Burberry earthy, Chanel Golden Sun). Still, this could be pretty for spring/summer.. I’m just not sure I do pinky/rosy cheeks often enough to warrant the purchase. Plus, I do have Illamasqua Naked Rose in stash. Waffle on!

Rachel Avatar

When I heard “rich orchid”, I thought it’s cool-toned pink. So disappointed. 🙁 I really don’t understand why Nars doesn’t have many cool-toned pink blushes. Most of their pink blushes are warm-toned and too muted.

Deidre Avatar

That is a beautiful blush color. I think you are right Christine it would look great on fair/light skin like mine. I think it would also make a great eyeshadow. This is unlike any blush I have but I am going to try and be strong and resist all these pretty new items. 🙁

Kat Avatar

It’s a pity it isn’t more universal, but I feel a little happy (maybe guiltily, since it won’t work for everyone) that it’s less pigmented than most NARS blushes. I think it’ll be nice to have something a little sheerer that I won’t have to be so careful applying (now that it’s winter, even my go-to NC15 shade is about a half a shade or more too dark!). I’m also surprised this didn’t have more permanent dupes.

Eliz Avatar

I have and love Burberry Misty, MAC Pink Cult, and Illamasqua Naked Rose, so I probably don’t need this, but, since I’m clearly obsessed with light pink blushes, I do want it. Christine, it looks really lovely on you!

Tatiana Avatar

I’m super fair and have a hard time with many blushes being too pigmented and too dark, so I’m really looking forward to trying this one.

xamyx Avatar

As one who prefers a “softer” blush shade, this is refreshing to see, particularly in a *permanent* product. I have more than enough blush for a while, but I will be grabbing this one as soon as it hits stores/counters (because we all know “permanent” is a subjective term, LOL!). I did just hit pan on L’Oréal True Match Tender Rose, so I think I can justify it…

I’m guessing this is a “replacement” for Douceur, but I think having both in the range would have been nice, especially with so many more intense shades.

Rachael Avatar

Christine, have you seen that NARS has a gorgeous looking set exclusive to Nordstrom? It’s a champagne highlight color and I’m hoping to check it out when I come back to the states in March. Perhaps you’ll like it too.

Pami Avatar

“Rich orchid” LOL. Sometimes I wonder how these companies come up with shade descriptions that are so different form the actual color…

RJ Avatar

This makes me think of Tarte Amazed blush from the Light of the Party set! I love that one and use it as you described – a workhorse for my fair skin – so I may want to grab this one. It’s a little lighter.

Cat Avatar

I keep returning to look at this blush. It’s such a pretty color, and it looks so nice on you, Christine, but I think it might not work as well on me. I have to be careful with pinks that lean warm.

Mary Avatar

I like it, I’m pretty pale usually always the lightest shade in most foundations, so I think it could be a really pretty everyday blush for me, I’ll be looking for it in Sephora so I can swatch it and see but I think I really like it!

Brooke Avatar

Hello! I just love the look of this blush! The fact that it’s similar to one of my favorite blushes Pink Cult just makes me super excited for it. I do have one question though. Does this compare in anyway to Benefit’s Hervana boxed blush? Thanks!

Anna Avatar

The blush looks gorgeous on you – and I think it lives up to its name. It does give the cheeks that flush one tends to get when they are well….impassioned. However, Douceur (discontinued) is still my favorite and I’m dreading hitting pan.

gemma Avatar

I lost Gaiety and I was going to buy it back but I saw Impassioned at the counter. The SA said Impassioned suits me better.. so I bought it instead of Gaiety!! Can’t wait to try tomorrow!!

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